For the active traveler, vacationing is about more than just relaxation; it also beckons them to recharge, challenge the body, and trade everyday screen time for invigorating nature excursions. If you’re seeking such a journey, look no further than Whitefish, Montana.
Located on the fringes of Glacier National Park near the Canadian border, Whitefish offers pristine wilderness and heart-pumping activities so you can customize your own experience. It’s a place where you can transition seamlessly from challenging alpine climbs to lakeside relaxation, making it an ideal choice for just about any adventurous soul.
A veritable hiker’s paradise, the city is webbed with a world-class trail system. You’ll encounter over forty miles of paths and numerous trailheads, connecting key recreational areas like Lion Mountain Loop and Spencer green space. It’s perfect for cross-country mountain biking, trail running, or taking a peaceful walk along the water. For a relatively short yet rewarding hike, hop onto a local favorite: the Lion Mountain Trail, a dog-friendly path that offers beautiful lake views in a shady route that extends just over two and a half miles.
Just a fifteen-minute drive from downtown, this rugged gem on Big Mountain is the area’s epicenter, offering a dynamic array of adventures regardless of the season.
Sunny days of summer and fall make the resort a playground for testing your mettle. For example, you can lace up your boots and do the Danny On Trail, a popular route that climbs to the summit and rewards you with panoramic views of the Flathead Valley and Glacier National Park. If you only want to tackle the descent, take a scenic chairlift or gondola ride up then hike down.
The resort also offers over twenty miles of lift-accessed downhill trails for mountain biking, catering to everyone from beginners to expert thrill-seekers. A path like the Kashmir, for example, is famed for providing an exhilarating workout. For more modern adrenaline boosts, test your balance and strength at the Aerial Adventure Park, a high-ropes course suspended in the trees, or feel the rush on the state’s longest lift-served zip-line tour.
No active vacation to this area is complete without spending time on the beautiful, clear waters of Whitefish Lake. Locals and tourists alike particularly enjoy paddle sports at this locale. For example, you can rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard and head to City Beach or Les Mason State Park for an invigorating workout. These spots also offer public access and designated swimming areas, which are perfect for cooling down after a long day of summertime exploring, or you could always take a refreshing float down the shaded Whitefish River to Riverside Park.
If you’re truly daring, book a white-water rafting day trip through the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Here, the raging rapids are fierce and thrilling enough for even experienced rafters to enjoy, but family-friendly options are also available.
Whitefish is the ideal basecamp for exploring this natural wonder, often called the “Crown of the Continent,” whose western entrance is just a forty-five-minute drive away. To take in its breathtaking sights and experiences, you should plan to make at least one full-day excursion to the park.
One of Glacier’s most iconic and dramatic hikes is the Highline Trail. This challenging route offers some of North America’s grandest mountain vistas, capturing much of the setting’s unique natural beauty. If you’d prefer a more moderate route that still stuns, traverse the Avalanche Lake Trail, which leads to a stunning lake surrounded by towering forests and waterfalls.
If you’re planning ahead for chilly-season travel, Whitefish is one of the nation’s premier ski destinations, known for its ideal balance of mild winters and abundant snowfall. The resort boasts over three thousand acres of skiable terrain with options for all skill levels, located just a ten-minute shuttle ride away from the resort lodge.
Additionally, you can explore the serene, snow-covered landscape by cross-country skiing at the Glacier Nordic Center or snowshoeing the interpretive trails around the Viking Creek Wetland Preserve. Both activities are low-impact ways to get moving while leisurely enjoying the tranquil wilderness. For a fast-paced winter challenge, though, you can rent a fat-tire bike—with its super wide tires designed for snow and ice—and navigate the groomed paths around town or the dedicated trails at the Whitefish Bike Retreat. Just keep in mind that availability for all local activities can vary by season or even year, so as you plan your travel dates, be sure to check that your planned activities and trails will be available.
The breadth of opportunities that await you in and around Whitefish, Montana, is virtually endless. With its combination of breathtaking mountain sports and abundant water recreation, the city is the perfect setting for travelers looking to get active as well as unwind. More than just a getaway, a trip to this outdoorsy escape is an investment in an active, healthy life and a retreat worth remembering.
For more info, visit explorewhitefish.com
Known for their naturally sweet flavors and outstanding array of nutrients, fruits are an essential part of any balanced diet. To incorporate more of these foods into your meals, try these creative recipes from Toast: 80 Delicious Recipes for Toast with a Twist. Elegant, composed, and crisp, each is bursting with the satisfying flavors of fresh fruits.
Did you know you can roast grapes? Enjoy them alongside fresh cheese, sourdough, and rosemary.
Warm spices and nuts add even more nutrients to this comforting handheld dessert.
From Toast: 80 Delicious Recipes for Toast with a Twist by Katie Marshall, published by OH.
Photography © 2025 Simon Smith.
Fruit and brie are an indisputable combo, and the sweetness of the roasted grapes and shallot here makes the most delectable accompaniment to the creamy French cheese.
SERVES 2
This is a great autumnal recipe for brunch or dessert! Perfectly poached pear, and the satisfaction of a homemade nut butter.
SERVES 4
If you own a small business, a critical stage of management is acknowledging that you’ll someday need to hand it over to another party. Astoundingly, about 4.2 million Americans reached age sixty-five in 2025 alone, and if you find yourself in this retirement age soon, it may be time to start planning so you can step into your golden years with total freedom and complete peace of mind.
Some wealth managers recommend that you begin preparations at least five years before departing your position. Leaving a long runway allows you to take comprehensive steps and ensure that you are not only ready to retire but also feel confident that your business is being looked after.
The first step to each of these is to define your exit vision, which can involve an internal transfer (a fellow owner or employee takes on your ownership of your business) or an external sale. Obtaining an accurate business valuation from a professional, like a certified valuation analyst or certified public accountant, will help you understand precisely what your ownership is worth, guiding which option you take.
While some business owners may prefer to transfer their company to a family member or an employee, selling could be a lucrative route. Depending on your retirement needs, this could essentially convert your ownership into enough cash to retire early or even pass this wealth on to others as an inheritance.
Then again, if your valuation falls short of your retirement needs, your tasks in the following years should pivot to enhancing enterprise value. You can do so by taking steps like slashing operating costs and investing in new marketing campaigns.
Succession planning is not just about replacing who owns the company but also who will take charge of its major duties. If you follow these three steps, you can prepare another party to take on such responsibilities.
From there, assemble a strategic team of financial professionals, which could include a tax advisor, estate planning attorney, or wealth manager, to highlight your goals and help you structure your deal beneficially for both you and the business. With their aid, you can prepare all needed documents and find the best option for handing off your held value in the company (e.g., the aforementioned approaches versus gifting interests, a management buyout, etc.). Reviewing these options can help reduce your capital gains tax responsibility and protect your assets as you enter retirement.
Every situation is unique when it comes to passing a business on to a different leader. However, if you tackle each of these phases diligently, you can realize your dream of easing into retirement knowing that your former enterprise will remain in good hands.
When autumn’s cool and colorful days descend, sunlight also gets noticeably shorter. This change may send your sleep cycle into a tizzy. However, if you make a few adjustments to your habits, you can not only navigate this seasonal shift but actually thrive in it.
The decreasing daylight hours of fall directly impact circadian rhythm, the body’s internal twenty-four-hour clock that regulates sleep and wakefulness. Less natural light exposure can disrupt the production of melatonin, which tells your body that it’s time to sleep, potentially making it difficult to wind down and wake up naturally. Conversely, a lack of light can affect cortisol, which helps you feel awake in the morning.
With these details in mind, you can make the following changes to recalibrate your rest.
Watch your intake
Limit alcohol and caffeine, especially in the late afternoon and evening. While alcohol might initially make you feel drowsy, it can disrupt sleep later in the night, leading to fragmented rest. And caffeine, a stimulant, can stay in your system for up to twelve hours, so go easy on the pumpkin spice lattes after noon.
Stick to a consistent schedule
Go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time every day, even on weekends. Such regularity reinforces your circadian rhythm, making it easier for your body to anticipate sleep and wakefulness.
Create a sleep sanctuary
To trigger deep slumber, ensure that your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool (65–68 degrees). And because fall temperatures can waver between warm and chilly, craft a layered bed that includes thin, heat-dispelling sheets and a cozy blanket so you can easily adjust to comfortable conditions for rest each night.
Power down before bed
Avoid screens, including phones, tablets, and computers, for at least an hour before bedtime. The blue light emitted from these devices mimics daylight—something you’ll naturally crave more of in fall. This can suppress melatonin and signal to your brain that it’s still daytime. Alternatively, read a book, listen to calming music, or meditate.
Embrace the morning
As soon as you wake up, expose yourself to natural light. Open your curtains, step outside for a few minutes, or just sit by a window while you have your coffee. This can help reduce your melatonin and kick-start your cortisol production so you feel awake and alert.
Take the shorter days of fall as an invitation to cozy up and enjoy healthier sleep. If you proactively adjust your habits, you can better embrace this season of change while watching out for your wellness.
*Talk to your doctor for personalized advice on improving your sleep.
